> The inevitable and unfortunate result of "handing out 'free' stuff" however will always be widespread fraud.

The optimal amount of fraud is not "zero".

The goal is to enforce just enough to keep the fraud below a threshold while not making it too onerous for the people who need and receive the benefit.

And, if you really want to go after fraud, you are far better going after the people who commit it at an organized institutional level: see GOP leadership in Florida and Medicare.